A new attack that was started by the Mezhenger communities in the Godere and
Micha areas of Gambella has left many dead. Some of the dead bodies have not
yet been collected. The clash that began following the campaigns that called
for all other communities but Gambella to leave the region has caused a lot
of bloodshed and also forced over 1000 people to flee to Tepi city.
According to those who follow the case closely, the main cause of the
conflict is the land grab by retired Defense officials of the Tigrean
Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), who displaced the local residents.
The members of the Mezhenger community are indiscriminately attacking
people. They have killed many and wounded evicted thousands in the last two
months alone, ESAT's sources in the area said.
The detention of the Region's Security Chief and the abduction and transfer
of the former president of the regional state, Okelo Aquaye, from South
Sudan to Addis Abeba, has triggered the conflict.
The Federal Police officers that have been sent to the Region have faced
deadly attack from the armed groups.
ESAT's effort to speak to the officials of the Region about the conflict
that is still continuing has been unsuccessful.
ESAT has reported in yesterday's Prime Time News that the number of dead
people was 9 however recent indicate that the number could well above be
that.